Senior content strategist jobs
Request for Proposals: Fundraising Strategy and Bid Template Development
Parish of St Mary’s and St James, NW6 London
1. Introduction
The Parish of St Mary’s and St James, located in NW6, London, is seeking to appoint an experienced fundraising professional to develop a comprehensive fundraising strategy and bid-writing template to support essential large scale capital repair projects at both church buildings.
The appointed consultant will produce a clear, actionable, and sustainable fundraising plan that draws on multiple funding streams — including grants, partnerships, individual giving, digital fundraising, and community events — while ensuring both projects progress cohesively and without internal competition for resources.
2. Project Background
The parish comprises two Grade II listed churches, both of which are active places of worship and important community landmarks within West Hampstead and South Hampstead.
St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s is a Grade II listed building, constructed in 1856-1862, and currently listed on the Historic England “At Risk” Register. The church requires urgent repair works to its spire, estimated at £1.5 million, alongside further essential maintenance identified in the quinquennial inspection. As a historic and much-loved building, St Mary’s preservation is a key priority for the parish and local community.
St James Church
Built in 1887–8 and designed by A.W. Blomfield, St James Church is also Grade II listed. The large red-brick structure, with steeply pitched tiled roofs and Bath stone dressings, is a notable local landmark and the only listed building within the South Hampstead Conservation Area. Camden Council’s Conservation Area Appraisal describes it as “a very important part of the quality and character of the area.”
St James is recognised nationally as a model of how historic churches can be adapted for sustainable use. Reopened in 2014 as The Sherriff Centre, it combines traditional worship with a thriving community and social enterprise hub — including a Post Office, soft play centre, café, retail space, and event venue.
St James now faces essential capital repairs to its roof, guttering, and masonry, as identified by its quinquennial inspection.
Fundraising Objective
Although St Mary’s and St James are distinct buildings, the parish seeks a single, unified fundraising strategy that will enable both capital projects to move forward in tandem, sharing messaging and timelines to avoid competition for funding opportunities.
3. Scope of Work
The consultant will produce a detailed and actionable fundraising strategy and a skeleton bid-writing template to support the parish in delivering its capital repair objectives.
A. Fundraising Strategy
The strategy should cover five core fundraising areas, each with specific recommendations, timelines, and success measures:
- Grant Applications to Trusts and Foundations
- Identification of suitable capital funders, including National Lottery Heritage programmes and major charitable trusts.
- Corporate Partnerships
- Identification of potential local business partners with corporate social responsibility programmes.
- Individual Giving
- Recommendations for regular giving schemes, major donor cultivation, and legacy giving programmes.
- Digital Fundraising
- Plans for social media campaigns, crowdfunding, and email marketing.
- Recommendations for digital platforms, messaging, and performance tracking.
- Community Fundraising Events
- Framework for community-focused events to engage local audiences and raise funds.
B. Skeleton Bid Template
An editable bid-writing template will be created to assist the parish with future applications. This will include:
- Core content sections (e.g., project summary, need, impact, budget, sustainability).
- Example text and guidance notes.
- Style and structure recommendations for clarity and professionalism.
4. Deliverables
- Comprehensive Fundraising Strategy Document covering both churches.
- Action Plan with timelines and priority recommendations.
- Skeleton Bid Template
5. Experience and Expertise
The appointed consultant should demonstrate:
- Proven success in fundraising for capital projects involving heritage buildings, ideally churches or places of worship.
- Experience in heritage and conservation funding, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
- Demonstrable ability to develop multi-strand fundraising strategies integrating grants, individuals, corporate, and community income.
- Excellent bid writing and stakeholder engagement skills.
6. Submission Requirements
Interested applicants are invited to submit a CV and covering letter including:
- Experience and Suitability
- Overview of relevant professional experience, especially in heritage or faith-based fundraising.
- Examples of similar projects delivered.
- Evidence of Fundraising Success
- Quantifiable results (e.g., funds raised, funders secured, capital projects delivered).
- References or testimonials if available.
- Delivery Plan and Fee Proposal
- Estimated number of days required.
- Fee proposal, including day rate and any additional costs.
- Proposed timeline for completion.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About Malaria No More UK
We exist to end malaria, together. Malaria is preventable and treatable — yet a child still dies every minute from this disease. At Malaria No More UK, we refuse to accept this.
Through targeted influencing communications, bold partnerships and political advocacy, we mobilise the leadership, funding and innovation needed to end malaria in our lifetimes.
We work to protect G7 ODA budgets for malaria and unlock new financing opportunities that accelerate progress toward a malaria-free world.
We specialise in generating high-impact communications that amplify the voices of scientists, economists, celebrity ambassadors, African business leaders, creators and those on the front lines of the fight against malaria. Together, we make malaria impossible to ignore.
At a time of uncertainty for international development and malaria financing, this work has never been more vital. The future of the malaria fight is being shaped now — and with the right leadership, creativity and advocacy, we can secure the investment needed to end malaria in our lifetime, saving lives and unlocking billions in shared growth and prosperity.
The Role
The Senior Digital and Content Manager leads the development and delivery of Malaria No More UK’s digital content strategy — shaping how we inspire action, influence decision-makers and elevate diverse voices to drive progress against malaria.
This is a pivotal role at a pivotal moment. You’ll design and deliver a digital engagement strategy that advances our advocacy and policy change goals, responds to the fast-moving communications landscape, and builds understanding, belief and momentum for investing in the fight to end malaria.
Combining strategic thinking, creative storytelling and digital innovation, you’ll position Malaria No More UK as a bold, credible and solutions-focused voice in the global malaria fight. Managing one staff member (Digital Engagement Officer), you’ll collaborate across the organisation to ensure our digital strategy delivers measurable influence and impact — while staying true to our brand voice: togetherness, momentum and possibility.
The average day in this role will be changeable, so being flexible and good under pressure is essential. From crafting last minute social storytelling posts, to overseeing creative content work being developed, looking ahead to create strategic plans for major events and campaigns coming up, to feeding back on creative work and liaising with multiple partners for sign off. It is a fast-paced role that requires a can-do approach.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
-
Lead the development and execution of Malaria No More UK’s digital content strategy, aligning it with organisational priorities and malaria advocacy goals.
-
Build digital capability across the organization.
-
Shape a cohesive digital narrative that brings together science, economics, innovation and lived experience, highlighting the people and ideas driving progress against malaria.
-
Position Malaria No More UK’s digital storytelling to make a compelling case for investment: to end malaria in our lifetime, save lives and unlock billions in shared growth and prosperity.
-
Develop digital strategies that turn uncertainty in malaria financing into opportunities for leadership, influence and renewed commitment.
-
Define objectives and KPIs for digital engagement, measuring reach, influence and impact across key audiences and contributing to internal and funder reporting.
-
Actively contributes to strategy development across international and UK campaigns, championing the role of digital communications and ensuring creative, impactful approaches are integrated from the outset.
Content Creation, Storytelling and Publishing
-
Help drive the creation of powerful, multi-channel content that communicates urgency, possibility and impact, ensuring every story moves audiences to act.
-
Collaborating with colleagues to work with scientists, celebrity ambassadors, economists, African business leaders, people with lived experience and creators to share diverse, authentic stories that reinforce the case for investment in ending malaria.
-
Oversee the content calendar, ensuring effective planning and delivery across overlapping communication priorities.
-
Act as the interface between colleagues writing reports and publications, and the Digital Engagement Officer and designer — ensuring best practice in publishing and digital production.
-
Work with creative agencies and partners to produce digital content that supports major advocacy and policy milestones.
-
Uphold Malaria No More UK’s brand voice and values, ensuring inclusivity, dignity and authenticity in all communications.
-
Oversee the organisation’s three brand websites and various campaign sites, including content, performance, and maintenance.
Collaboration and Leadership
-
Manage and mentor the Digital Engagement Officer, fostering creativity, learning and professional growth.
-
Manage freelance designers and video editors to deliver high-quality digital assets.
-
Along with the Head of Ambassador Relations & Creative Partnerships, build and maintain relationships with digital influencers, media partners and creative collaborators in the malaria and development space.
-
Actively collaborate across teams, ensuring alignment between digital activity, policy priorities and fundraising opportunities.
Innovation and Insight
-
Stay ahead of emerging digital trends, tools and technologies — including AI — that can amplify influence and advocacy impact.
-
Use data and audience insights to refine approaches and inform decision-making.
-
Champion ethical, inclusive and human-centred storytelling that reflects the strength, innovation and leadership of those driving the malaria fight.
Experience, Knowledge and Skills
We’re looking for a creative digital strategist who can turn ideas into impact. Someone who combines sharp technical know-how with a flair for storytelling, collaboration and purpose-driven campaigning.
Essential
-
Proven experience leading digital communications and content strategies across multiple platforms to deliver measurable impact.
-
Strong ability to translate complex issues into engaging, shareable content tailored to diverse audiences.
-
Demonstrated success managing digital campaigns that drive awareness, engagement and action.
-
Experience working collaboratively within multi-disciplinary or cross-regional teams, aligning digital outputs with advocacy and fundraising goals.
-
Excellent project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
-
Strong understanding of analytics, SEO and social insights, using data to refine and optimise performance.
-
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and brand consistency.
-
Commitment to building internal digital capability and confidence across teams.
-
Experience mentoring, managing or supporting staff and creative partners.
-
Experience managing and updating websites.
-
Experience in overseeing and potentially delivering paid digital advertising campaigns
-
Expertise and enthusiasm for social media storytelling and channels
Desirable
-
Experience working within international development, global health or advocacy contexts.
-
Familiarity with paid media, digital advertising or content partnerships.
-
Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.
-
Experience supporting colleagues’ professional development in digital communications.
-
Working knowledge of CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) and digital reporting tools (e.g. Google Analytics, Sprout Social).
MNMUK recognises the value of a team in which people from diverse backgrounds can introduce fresh ideas and contribute to delivering our mission to make Malaria No More.
Candidates from historically marginalised or underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended over time in consultation with the Head
Staff benefits include:
-
10% employer pension contributions
-
28 days’ annual leave plus national holidays
-
Additional days off over the Christmas to New Year period when the office is closed
-
Professional training & qualification subsidy
-
The opportunity to lead digital storytelling and engagement that influences the global malaria fight
-
A collaborative, creative and mission-driven team culture.
-
Opportunities for international travel, learning, development and global collaboration
To bring unifying and impactful communications, campaigns and partnerships to drive advocacy to end malaria for good.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.